Romeo and Juliet Review
Prologue:
1. What is the purpose of the Prologue? What does it foreshadow?
Act I, Scenes 1 and 2
1. How effective is the law in preventing and controlling violence, as evidenced in this scene?
2. To what does the expression “purple fountains” (line 83) refer?
3. What poetic device is used in the description of the sun? Explain.
4. What does Romeo’s description of love (p. 328, beginning at line 188) tell you about Romeo and his feelings?
Scene 3
1. What do the nurse’s recollections about Juliet’s childhood reveal about her character?
2. Contrast Juliet’s remarks on marriage with those of the Nurse.
Scenes 4 and 5
1. What do lines 25 and 26 reveal about Romeo’s character? Is he more aware of himself or the person he loves?
2. Contrast Tybalt’s and Lord Capulet’s responses to Romeo’s presence at the Capulet party. What does their exchange suggest about the significance of the feud?
3. What does Romeo’s reaction to Juliet suggest about his character?
4. Juliet’s lament at learning of Romeo’s identity, “My only love, sprung from my only hate/ Too early seen unknown, and known too late!” suggests the workings of what device?
Act II, Scenes 1 and 2
1. Quote and restate Romeo’s metaphor involving Juliet.
2. How does Scene 2 begin to explore the meaning of identity?
3. When Juliet speaks of “light love” or “light” behavior, what does she mean by “light”?
4. What troubles Juliet about the arrangement she makes with Romeo?
Scene 3
1. In addition to describing the qualities and dangers of herbs, Friar Laurence also compares these qualities to those in humans. What is the main idea of his soliloquy?
2. Why does the Friar claim Romeo is fickle?
Scenes 4 - 6
1. Mercutio calls Tybalt “more than Prince of Cats” in reference to a character in an animal story. In what ways is Tybalt more dangerous than the fictional character? What might this image foreshadow?
2. What is the setting of scene 5? What effect does juxtaposing these short, varied scenes have on the drama?
3. What is Shakespeare’s purpose in the delaying tactics of the nurse?
4. What does the Friar’s warning against the intensity of their feelings foreshadow?
Act III, scene 1
1. Look back at Benvolio’s appearance in Act 1, scene 1, and compare it to his appearance here. What role does he seem to be playing throughout the play?
2. What dramatic function does Mercutio’s death serve?
3. As Benvolio leads him away, Romoe cries out “O, I am fortune’s fool.” To what extent is Romeo a pawn of fate? To what extent is he responsible for the events that are so swiftly unfolding?
Scenes 2 – 4
1. Romeo wonders in “what vile part of this anatomy/Doth my name lodge?” (lines 106-107). What thematic concept does the play continue to explore with this question?
2. What is occurring ironically, while the unsuspecting Capulets plan Juliet’s marriage to Paris?
Scene 5
1. How does Shakespeare continue his light/dark motif in Scene 5? What happens as the day becomes lighter?
2. What is ironic in Juliet’s response to her mother when she informs her of her father’s plans for her marriage to Paris?
Act IV, Scene 1
1. Briefly state the Friar’s solution and plan.
2. Explain the dramatic irony in the following exchange between the Friar and Paris:
FRIAR: My lord, we must entreat the time alone.
PARIS: God shield I should disturb devotion!
Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse ye. (lines 41-42)
3. Study the imagery present in scene 1. What is notable about it? What purpose does this imagery serve?
Scenes 2 – 3
1. What causes Capulet to say “my heart is wondrous light” (lines 47-48)?
2. How does fate again create problems for the lovers in scene 2?
3. Quote a line from Juliet’s soliloquy that foreshadows her death.
4. Compare Juliet’s isolation with Romeo’s. Does her self-imposed “exile” require more or less courage than his banishment?
Scenes 4 -5
1. What kind of mood do the actions of scene 4 create? How does this contrast with mood established in the previous scene?
2. What purpose does the juxtaposition of scenes 3, 4, and 5 serve? Why do you think Shakespeare arranged them as he did?
3. Look back at Paris’ and Lord Capulet’s expressions of grief in scene 5. Would you describe them as sincere or artificial? Support your answer.
Act V, Scenes 1 -2
1. Why does Romeo think the apothecary will sell him poison?
2. What does the speed with which Romeo immediately makes his drastic plans tell you about his character?
Scene 3
1. Judging from his words in the tomb, how do you think Paris feels about Juliet?
2. Why does Paris think Romeo has come to the tomb?
3. In line 59, Romeo addresses Paris as “Good gentle youth.” Is he older than Paris? What makes him seem so?
4. How does Romeo’s response upon learning of Juliet’s death reinforce the belief in fortune and fate?
5. What does the Prince mean when he says, “All are punished” in line 295?
6. At the conclusion of the play, what happens between the Capulets and Montagues?